Considered 'one of the greatest filmmakers this country has produced', John Boorman has directed sixteen feature films, and made numerous documentaries for the BBC. And now, after such a long and illustrious career, the BFI Southbank are showcasing his full lifetime's work between the 25th March - 30th April.

Attracted to excess and the fantastic, Boorman deviates from the traditions of British Realism and Kitchen Sink Dramas. He likes to shoot in exotic places such as Africa, the Pacific islands, south-east Asia, and the Amazonian jungle. Boorman has filmed in a wide range of genres, including gangster stories, westerns, war, horror, science-fiction, fables, spy films, and costume epics. From this, I think you can tell that most of his films have rather violent themes, but that does not stop them being carefully structured masterpieces. Point Blank (1967), for example, merges exciting Hollywood action with stylistic European sophistication. His documentaries on the other hand, are quite touching and sentimental, as can be seen in The Newcomers (1964), a six-part documentary following the lives of a young couple having twins.

In addition to John Boorman's work, the BFI will also be screening a documentary by his daughter, Katrine. Me and Me Dad (2011) gives his films a back seat and explores the facet's of Boorman's personal life.

Tickets to his films are £8.50-£11, and you can see the full schedule here.